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AIM To explore the effects of Shexiang Wulong Pills (Moschus Artifactus,Aconiti Radix Cocta,Pheretima,etc.) drug serum on the expression levels of miR-146a,miR-130 and miR-223 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).METHODS PBMCs were extracted from blood of 30 cases of RA patients,cells were divided into three groups,blank control group,serum-free groupand Shexiang Wulong Pills drug serum group.After 48 hours,total RNA was extracted,then the expression levels of three miRs were detected by RT-PCR.RESULTS Compared with the serum-free group,the expression levels of miR-146a,miR-130 and miR-223 in the Shexiang Wulong Pills drug serum group were significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION Shexiang Wulong Pills can inhibit inflammation in RA patients by down-regulating the expression levels of miR-223,miR-130 and miR-146a in PBMCs.
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Gap junction is the aggregate of some intercellular channels, which allows ions and small molecules to transport or transfer between cells. There are about 20 proposed members of the connexin family found in mammalian tissues now, and more than 10 reported are expressed in the nervous system. The astrocytes and oligodendrocytes express some specific connexins. In the present article, we review the recent literatures to illustrate the importance of gap junction for the intercellular communication between glial cells, astrocytes and neurons, and neuronal cells, which is crucial for brain functions.